Sheppard — United States

Amanda Zablocki

Amanda Zablocki is co-leader of the firm's 230-attorney Healthcare industry team. She is a trusted legal and strategic advisor to healthcare organizations across the country, helping them to achieve their goals while navigating a dynamic regulatory landscape. Amanda leads complex healthcare deals, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic partnerships, corporate reorganizations, and value-based care arrangements. She routinely advises clients on a range of healthcare and nonprofit regulatory matters, including fraud, waste, and abuse, the corporate practice of medicine, nonprofit law, tax exemption, corporate governance, and compliance matters. Amanda began her career as a commercial litigator, and she brings that experience to bear when advocating her clients’ positions, counseling her clients in connection with actual and potential disputes, and defending clients before government audits and investigations. Amanda’s clients include health plans and health insurers, hospitals, academic medical centers, digital health and healthcare technology companies, integrated healthcare delivery systems, pharmaceutical and life sciences companies, rare disease organizations, independent practice associations, physician practices, management services organizations, value-based enterprises, care management organizations, and 501(c)(3) organizations. At Sheppard, Amanda has devoted substantial time towards supporting the recruitment, retention, and advancement of women in the legal industry, serving as Co-Chair of the New York Women Lawyers’ Group (WLG) for several years before joining the firm’s WLG National Leadership Council. In her role as Chair of the firm’s New York Recruiting Committee, Amanda is proud to cultivate the next generation of attorneys through the firm’s highly ranked summer associate program. Amanda co-founded Sheppard’s Women in Healthcare Leadership Collaborative, an exclusive initiative that provides support to women professionals in the healthcare and life sciences industries. · Healthcare

Amit Kalra

Amit Kalra, PC is a partner in the Tax, Employee Benefits and Trusts and Estates Practice Group in the firm's Chicago office. Amit concentrates his practice on tax controversy and partnership taxation, with an emphasis on partnerships and pass-through entities that own and operate assets entitled to significant federal income tax benefits. Amit is frequently involved in the structuring and formation of partnerships that own and operate alternative energy resources. His experience includes the pricing of partnership investments through the preparation of pro forma economic models that incorporate relevant federal income tax assumptions and constraints to accurately determine the expected after-tax return on a partnership investment. Amit is also actively involved in the emerging market for financing other alternative energy resources, including: ethanol, biodiesel, biomass, solar and fuel cell facilities. His partnership practice includes all forms of direct investments in partnerships and pass-through entities, including private equity fund formation and investment. In addition, he counsels clients in private equity and venture capital portfolio investments. Amit represents clients before the IRS Appeals Office on numerous federal income taxation issues, including the defense of purported tax shelters and their related penalties, the characterization of true lease transactions, the tax consequences of complex debt workouts and the treatment of sophisticated financial products. · Tax Controversy

Amy Tranckino

Amy Tranckino is retired from the firm and is now Of Counsel. As a seasoned deal lawyer, clients appreciated Amy's creative, solutions-oriented approach to complex business matters, including mergers and acquisitions, tax credit financings and partnership ventures. Business Law & Taxation Amy advised clients ranging from family owned businesses to public companies in many diverse industries such as organic food and beverage, healthcare, consumer goods, energy, professional services and real estate. Qualified Opportunity Funds Amy closely followed developments in the opportunity zone space and frequently advises developers, investors and sponsors on structuring opportunity zone transactions. Her experience included structuring numerous qualified opportunity funds and related investments in qualified opportunity zone businesses throughout the country. Tax Credit Deals Amy advised developers, investors and lenders in connection with affordable housing, historic, energy and new markets tax credit projects (primary responsibility for over $800 million in tax credit equity financings). · Business Law & Taxation

Andrew Ratts

Andrew Ratts is a partner in the Tax Practice Group in the firm's Chicago Office. Andrew's practice focuses on federal income taxation, advising various clients on tax issues relating to business formations, acquisitions, divestitures, debt reorganizations, executive compensation, investments, financings, operating joint ventures, leasing, public and private debt/equity offerings and derivatives. Andrew is frequently involved with tax-advantaged direct investments; private equity and hedge funds; investment funds; real estate and energy credit syndications; project finance; leveraged leasing; mergers; lending; and sales and exchanges. He is particularly experienced with the federal income taxation of pass-through entities, such as partnerships; limited liability companies; S corporations and grantor trusts; and of financial instruments and derivatives. · Tax

Anne Perry

Anne Perry is an experienced government contracts lawyer who helps companies navigate the highly complex world of establishing and maintaining contractual relationships with the federal government. With a Band 1 nationwide ranking in Government Contracts law from Chambers USA and more than 30 years of practice in Washington, D.C., she is recognized as a leading practitioner in the field. Advising contractors, subcontractors, and investors on the full spectrum of issues arising in doing business with the federal government, Anne is known for combining deep regulatory insight with practical, results-driven counsel that helps clients secure and retain contracts, establish and maintain compliance with regulatory requirements and advance their business goals. She also defends clients when the government audits, investigates or brings suit against them. Anne’s practice covers the full lifecycle of government contracting—from responding to solicitations, to bringing or defending against bid protests, contract claims, fraud allegations, whistleblower complaints, managing internal and government investigations, False Claims Act litigation, and white collar civil and criminal litigation. National security matters form a significant part of Anne’s practice, advising aerospace and defense contractors and others on facility and personnel clearances, compliance with foreign ownership regulations and other issues. Anne develops tailored risk-mitigation strategies that help government contractors and their partners manage complex security obligations. · Government Contracts

Bevin Newman

Bevin Newman is a partner in the Antitrust and Competition Practice Group in Sheppard Mullin's Washington, D.C. office. Bevin is a strategic adviser to clients in cutting-edge affiliations and collaborative arrangements. She focuses much of her practice in the healthcare industry, bringing over 20 years of experience advising and defending globally renowned health systems, academic medical centers, providers, payers and pharmaceuticals companies undertaking significant transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, intellectual property licenses and innovative alliances, as well as on conduct matters. She represents clients before the Federal Trade Commission, the Department of Justice and state attorneys general on complex antitrust matters. Bevin also has extensive experience coordinating the merger-control, foreign direct investment (CFIUS) and regulatory reviews of multi-jurisdictional transactions for U.S. and foreign clients in the pharmaceutical, medical device, technology and energy industries. She is one of the most experienced Hart-Scott-Rodino Act (HSR Act) practitioners in the country. She has advised on multiple antitrust matters for Caremark, Cigna, UPMC, Duke University, Yale-New Haven Health System, Centura, SSM Health, UnityPoint, Abbot Laboratories, Boehringer Ingelheim, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharmaceuticals and Bon Secours Mercy Health. Bevin frequently writes and speaks on antitrust and competition issues, particularly in the healthcare field. Her publications include Antitrust Aspects of Mergers and Acquisitions (BNA Corp. Practice Series) and "An Overview of Federal Antitrust Laws and Enforcement Policies" (CCH Health Care Compliance Professionals Manual). She served on the editorial board for the ABA's Antitrust Compliance and is a member of the Antitrust and Health Law Sections of the ABA and Antitrust Section of the American Health Lawyers Association. Outside of her antitrust practice, Bevin maintains an active pro bono practice, representing refugees seeking safety for themselves and their children. · Antitrust

Brent Horstman

Brent Horstman is a partner in and former Leader of the Finance and Bankruptcy Practice Group in the firm's Los Angeles office. Brent practices commercial law with a specialty in real and personal property, secured financings and workouts. He represents lenders, corporate borrowers and private equity sponsors. Brent's practice encompasses a wide range of debt financing types, including single-lender and syndicated credits; senior-secured; second-lien; mezzanine; unitranche; FF&E financings; merger and acquisition financings; recapitalizations and working capital loans; cross-border loans; and problem loan restructurings. He has worked on transactions involving industries that include a significant number of transactions in the hotel, gaming and leisure; media entertainment; mortgage banking; and healthcare industries. · Commercial Law

Brian Anderson

Brian Anderson is a Partner in Sheppard’s San Francisco office. He leads the Firm’s Advertising and Sports Practice. Brian represents brands, teams, leagues, companies, and investors as their chief legal strategist, managing various matters, ranging from commercial partnerships, sponsorships, media rights, naming rights, and licensing transactions to complying with advertising laws and data protection regulations. He mainly focuses on issues arising from using new technologies and business models, such as blockchain (NFTs, digital assets, etc.) and interactive entertainment (metaverses, virtual worlds, esports, etc.). · Advertising

Brian Weimer

Brian Weimer is a leading FCC, CFIUS and space lawyer who advises satellite, wireless, media and telecom companies on complex regulatory and transactional issues. He helps clients secure licenses and market access and advises on structuring deals to secure regulatory approvals. His work has earned him a nationwide ranking in Space law from Chambers USA and many other accolades from similar ranking organizations. Brian advises clients in regulatory proceedings impacting the value, uses, availability and sharing of spectrum resources and lobbies the FCC at the highest levels to achieve optimal outcomes on their most important regulatory matters. Having cultivated strong working relationships with federal regulators during his more than 30 years practicing in Washington, D.C., Brian is a go-to resource for space station operators—both GEO and NGSO—and wireless companies needing help with FCC licensing. He helps secure earth station approvals and cable landing licenses for undersea systems and frequently secures special temporary authority and experimental licenses to support innovation. Navigating the regulatory approvals required to close M&A deals—including reviews before Team Telecom and CFIUS—is also at the heart of Brian’s practice. He prepares petitions for declaratory rulings to exceed foreign ownership benchmarks, evaluates foreign investment feasibility under the Communications Act and counsels international companies on structuring U.S. proxy entities to pursue government contracts. Brian also advises entrepreneurs and executives in their fundraising efforts, negotiates and drafts commercial contracts, and counsels clients through restructuring, including Chapter 11 proceedings. · Space Law

Brittany Walter

Brittany Walter is an associate in the Intellectual Property Practice Group in the firm's San Diego (Del Mar) office. She is the associate co-lead of the firm's Blockchain and Fintech Team as well as the firm's Technology & Commercial Transactions Team. She is also an active member of the Sports Team, Advertising Team, and the Privacy and Cybersecurity Team. Brittany's practice focuses on technology and commercial transactions involving intellectual property and commercial partnerships. She routinely advises clients on legal strategy for technology, commercial and corporate transactions, as well as compliance strategies for advertising and data protection regulations. She has a special focus on blockchain-based products and services, including non-fungible tokens ("NFTs"), metaverses, virtual worlds, and games. Technology and Commercial Transactions. Brittany advises on, drafts and negotiates, agreements involving intellectual property licensing, software development, SaaS, marketing services, sourcing and distribution agreements, sponsorship agreements, stadium and venue projects, media rights agreements, and other commercial and transactional matters. Brittany also drafts terms of service for websites and mobile applications. She has significant experience drafting and negotiating NFT agreements, including but not limited to minting agreements, brand and content agreements, joint IP development agreements, auction agreements, marketplace Terms of Service, and End-User License Agreements. Advertising. Brittany advises clients in conducting advertising campaigns, contests and sweepstakes, and brand marketing campaigns. She also counsels clients on compliance with e-mail, telephone and SMS marketing regulations. Privacy and Data Protection. Brittany counsels clients on compliance with domestic and international privacy laws and regulations. She helps clients with drafting privacy policies and developing and implementing comprehensive privacy compliance programs. Prior to joining Sheppard, Brittany served on Active Duty in the U.S. Air Force. She currently serves as the lead associate of Veterans at Sheppard, and has an active pro bono practice. · Intellectual Property

Bruce Grabow

Bruce Grabow represents independent power developers and other energy companies in matters involving generation development and interconnection, load interconnection and studies, transmission service and wholesale power markets. With more than 30 years of experience before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Bruce advises clients across the United States on securing the regulatory approvals needed to connect generation projects to the electric grid and deliver power into U.S. wholesale electricity markets. With deep knowledge of existing and evolving market rules and regulatory policy, Bruce helps clients navigate emerging and complex federal and state commercial and infrastructure issues at the intersection of generation development, transmission needs and load interconnection driven by data center demand. Developers rely on his guidance when projects encounter obstacles in the generation and load interconnection process. Bruce works with clients and grid operators to address disputes involving interconnection studies, project costs and transmission availability, helping projects move forward while ensuring compliance with applicable tariffs and reliability requirements. Bruce regularly advises clients on and participates in regional transmission organization processes across the United States, including MISO, SPP, PJM, NYISO, ISO-NE and CAISO, pursues and develops tariff and policy changes and, when necessary, brings complaints and other proceedings before FERC and the courts to address practices affecting generation interconnection, transmission service and market participation. · Energy Regulatory

Camille Vasquez

Camille Vasquez is a partner in the Business Trial Practice Group in the firm's Orange County office. Areas of Practice Camille Vasquez specializes in high-profile litigation and complex legal disputes. With a reputation for her tenacity and strategic acumen, Camille has built a notable career handling high-stakes cases, crisis situations and providing exceptional legal counsel to her clients. Throughout her career, Camille has been recognized for her outstanding advocacy skills and her ability to navigate complex legal landscapes. Her practice encompasses a range of areas including commercial litigation, entertainment law, and defamation. Camille is particularly known for her adept handling of cases involving media exposure and public scrutiny, where her strategic approach and persuasive abilities have consistently achieved favorable outcomes for her clients. Fluent in Spanish, Camille brings an added dimension to her practice, enabling her to serve a diverse client base and effectively manage cases involving Spanish-speaking individuals and entities. In addition to her litigation practice, Camille is a sought-after speaker and commentator on legal issues, frequently contributing for NBC, participating in industry panels and speaking at engagements around the world. Her commitment to the legal profession extends beyond the courtroom, as she actively mentors young attorneys and serves as a Foundation Trustee for the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. · Business Trial

Christine A. Kolosov

Chris Kolosov is a partner in the Energy, Infrastructure and Project Finance Team in the firm's Los Angeles office. Chris concentrates her practice in energy project development, financing, sales and acquisitions, and in regulatory matters before the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). Chris represents developers and owners in the negotiation of power purchase agreements, renewable energy credit purchase and sale agreements, engineering, procurement and construction agreements, equipment supply agreements, operations and maintenance agreements, shared facilities agreements, and development services, construction management and asset management agreements, and she oversees project document diligence on behalf of financing parties. She represents buyers and sellers in the acquisition and disposition of development stage and operating energy generation and storage projects. She also regularly represents investor-owned water utilities in regulatory proceedings before the CPUC. · Energy

Christine Clements

Christine Clements is a seasoned healthcare attorney who counsels clients on managed care regulatory issues and federal health care programs including the Medicare Advantage program, the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit and Medicaid managed care. She is the regulatory lead of the firm’s Healthcare industry team. Christine’s practice focuses on advising payers, providers and other entities on state and federal compliance issues as well as strategic transactions. She is known nationally for advising companies on the Medicare Advantage program with extensive experience representing companies on application denials and other disputes with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. · Healthcare Law

Craig Cardon

Craig Cardon spent the last decade on Sheppard's executive committee, serves as co-leader of the Retail, Fashion & Beauty team, sits on the firm’s international committee and founded the firm’s Mass Arbitration practice. Craig represents retailers, brands and adtech businesses in class actions, mass arbitrations, and governmental investigations and enforcement proceedings in the advertising, data privacy and ecommerce areas. · Class Actions

Daniel Schnapp

Dan Schnapp is a corporate and commercial transactional lawyer with more than 30 years of experience advising clients on high-stakes, strategic transactions at the intersection of intellectual property, technology and digital media. His practice focuses on structuring and negotiating strategic transactions that govern how IP and content assets, technology and data are developed, distributed, monetized and protected across evolving digital and interactive environments. Dan has unique experience counseling clients across multiple industry verticals on the impact of emerging, transformative and disruptive technologies to their respective businesses, including generative artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies, for which he assists clients in negotiating complex global licensing arrangements, managing data sourcing and usage rights, model training and output exploitation, preserving and enforcing IP portfolios, and the mitigation and allocation of risk across multiparty commercial frameworks. Dan routinely counsels media companies, content owners and technology platform providers on the legal and commercial frameworks underpinning digital media businesses, including licensing, distribution, production, platform partnerships and multichannel exploitation arrangements. His work spans interactive entertainment, music, gaming, sports, film and television, advertising, and live events, and involves counterparties ranging from networks, publishers, rights management organizations, digital service providers and distributors to device manufacturers, content aggregators and online platforms. His approach is deeply strategic and consultative, combining legal precision with a practical operational understanding of how technology can reshape value creation, while aligning robust legal structures with his client’s business objectives. By anticipating market and regulatory shifts, Dan assists clients in not only managing risk but positioning themselves as first movers and market leaders in novel digital economies. · Corporate

Dave Thomas

Dave Thomas is a partner in the Business Trial Practice Group and a member of the Firm's Communication Industry team in the Washington, D.C. office. Dave's national practice handles matters in the telecommunications and broadband communications industries, as well as in the healthcare sectors. His practice focuses on litigation, dispute resolution and the deployment and operations of competitive wire-based and wireless networks and services, with a particular emphasis on the mesh of federal, state and local regulations surrounding broadband networks in matters involving network operations and security, local franchising, rights-of-way and infrastructure. During his more than 30 years as counsel to the nation's top cable and broadband companies, cable and telecommunications trade associations and other business organizations, as well as to fiber-optic broadband providers and private equity investors, Dave is a nationally recognized authority on utility and telecommunications infrastructure, pole attachments, rights-of-way, federal, state and local broadband and telecommunications regulatory and communications plant deployment issues and public utility law, handling matters in more than 40 states. Dave handles a wide range of regulatory, litigation and transactional matters involving broadband and telecommunications providers, cable operators, broadcasters, satellite communications, federal, state and local licensing and permitting, data security and privacy and spectrum use. He litigates before the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC), numerous state public service commissions and federal and state courts. In addition to those bodies, he regularly appears before state legislatures and county and municipal governments. A frequent speaker at communications and utility industry conferences, Dave has published works on a variety of domestic and international industry issues, including cyber and data security, new technology, infrastructure and use, network deployment and spectrum use and allocation. · Litigation

David Sands

David Sands is a seasoned dealmaker who guides businesses of all sizes through strategic, financial and operational transactions. Drawing on deep experience in legal and business strategy earned in more than 400 deals, he helps media, entertainment, technology and financial services industry clients navigate risks, understand market realities and achieve their personal and professional goals. Clients value that David prepares them for complex transactions and ensures they are confident and informed from the start. Recognized for his practical, business-focused approach and responsiveness, he counsels clients throughout the company lifecycle, handling matters such as: Corporate finance and capital raising Mergers and acquisitions, including take-private transactions and joint ventures Formation planning and initial capitalization Executive compensation and retention strategies Strategic alliances and institutional partnerships Public and private equity and debt offerings With a long history of counseling service-based businesses and family owned companies, David understands his clients’ success depends on their people and incentivizing excellence. He helps companies design incentive structures and cultures where key people thrive and enables founders to monetize effort while retaining talent. Outside of work, David enjoys baking for friends and family, fishing, skiing in the Mammoth area (and an occasional heli-ski trip) and attending live music performances at venues like the Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Hollywood Bowl, where he and his wife Yvonne have been longtime supporters and contributors. David also is known for his dedication and perseverance as a result of his 50+ year support of the NY Mets and NY Jets. · Corporate Finance

Dimitris Vallindas

Dimitris Vallindas is a partner in the Antitrust and Competition Practice Group in the firm's Brussels office. Dimitris advises on all areas of European and Greek competition law. He is a responsive lawyer focusing on the clients' needs to provide cost-effective and tailor-made solutions that work. In particular, he has significant experience in handling and coordinating complex multi-jurisdictional cartel and merger cases. Having frequently worked with top quality local counsel, he knows how to navigate through the complex issues that arise in such situations. Dimitris also has in-depth expertise in all types of State aid matters, including R&D, environmental, rescue and restructuring, risk-capital and privatisation cases. He has been frequently involved in litigation both at national and EU level. Dimitris' expertise covers several industry specific sectors, including the sectors of aviation, telecommunications, rail transport and energy. Prior to joining Sheppard, Dimitris was an academic assistant in EU law at the University of Aix en Provence in France. He then moved to Brussels, where he spent some time in a State aid unit of DG Competition (European Commission). After DG Competition, he switched to private practice and worked for three international law firms specializing in competition law before joining Sheppard. · Antitrust

Douglas Svor

Drew Svor is a go-to advisor to technology, telecommunications, space and defense tech innovators navigating today’s complex regulatory landscape. He helps clients build and scale advanced networks—on the ground and in orbit—by aligning business strategy with compliance at the FCC, CFIUS and Team Telecom. Drew counsels startups, investors and global enterprises across the U.S., Europe and Asia on spectrum authorizations, satellite licensing, foreign ownership reviews and strategic transactions involving emerging, dual-use and defense technologies. His practical, forward-looking approach helps clients accelerate innovation, mitigate national security risk and stay ahead of evolving regulatory change. · Telecommunications

Douglas Yeager

Douglas Yeager is a partner in the Real Estate, Energy, Land Use & Environmental Practice Group in the firm's Houston office. Areas of Practice Doug represents owners, investors, tenants, and developers in the acquisition, development, financing, leasing, and disposition of commercial real estate. He focuses his practice on leases (office, industrial, retail, build-to-suit, ground, and sale/leaseback), acquisitions and dispositions (office, industrial, hotel, retail, multi-family, and mixed-use), and financing (interim, construction, and permanent). He has also worked extensively in the loan workout, distressed asset, and debt areas, including restructuring and bankruptcy transactions and foreclosures. Doug’s practice is national in scope, and his clients include some of the largest and most sophisticated players in the commercial real estate industry in the United States. Doug regularly handles complex real estate matters for private equity firms, real estate funds, financial institutions, special servicers, owners, and developers. He also represents both landlords and tenants in commercial leasing of downtown and suburban office buildings, retail projects, and industrial warehouses. Being in Houston, he routinely assists energy companies, oilfield service companies, midstream companies, and others in the energy industry with their real estate transactions. Doug is known for his ability to get deals done while looking out for his client’s interests. An efficient and effective attorney, Doug works quickly and breaks things down for his clients. · Real Estate

Drew Svor

Drew Svor is a partner in Sheppard Mullin’s Washington, D.C. office and a member of the firm’s Telecom Team. Drew’s practice is focused on technology, media and telecommunications, with an emphasis on satellite, wireless and new technologies. Drew counsels companies on all aspects of communications law and regulations. He also represents companies in matters before the Federal Communications Commission, including rulemaking, licensing and enforcement matters. He counsels clients with respect to international telecommunications issues, including frequently representing companies before the “Team Telecom” Executive Branch agencies, as well as the Committee of Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). Drew frequently speaks and writes on telecommunications matters, including at events hosted by the Federal Communications Bar Association (FCBA) and the ABA Space Symposium. · Telecommunications

Dylan Price

Dylan Price is a seasoned trial lawyer and strategic advocate who represents leading entertainment, media, fashion and retail companies in complex disputes, and guides them through transactional risks and business strategy. Counseling entertainment clients throughout the creative lifecycle—Dylan advises on copyright and trademark clearance, navigating rights and licensing challenges, and delivering practical solutions to business-critical problems. Known for his strategic insight and practical, results-driven approach, he helps clients anticipate legal and commercial risks, make informed decisions and achieve successful outcomes through settlement or trial. Dylan has taken multiple matters to jury verdict. He frequently appears before state and federal courts as well as arbitrations before JAMS, AAA and IFTA. Dylan’s broad entertainment litigation practice covers a wide range of disputes involving content claims, distribution rights, licensing, participation accounting claims, sponsorship and endorsement agreements, final cut rights, partnership and commission matters, defamation claims and breaches of contract. In copyright, trademark and right of publicity matters, Dylan has significant experience both protecting his clients’ intellectual property rights and defending against claims of infringement. Advising studios, filmmakers and other content creators on IP clearance, fair use and sensitive risk assessments, Dylan uses his deep industry knowledge to provide business-focused guidance to help his clients make informed, risk-based business decisions. Beyond the entertainment and media industries, Dylan represents corporate clients in business, tort, insurance and consumer litigation, including defending national retailers and fashion companies in consumer privacy and false advertising disputes. Outside the office, Dylan enjoys spending time with his family at the beach. A classic car enthusiast, he is a proud daily driver of a 1968 Porsche 912. · Business Trial

Edward Tillinghast

Edward Tillinghast is a bankruptcy and creditor’s rights trial lawyer who is known for helping clients solve complex business challenges. The co-leader of the Finance and Bankruptcy practice group, his work spans U.S. and cross-border insolvencies, particularly those involving emerging and developing markets, director and officer duties, and financial reorganizations. Ed provides practical advice grounded in deep litigation experience and a nuanced understanding of financial distress and issues arising in business insolvencies. Crafting legal strategies that advance client goals and generate workable paths forward, he advises on corporate restructurings, distressed acquisitions, and director and officer responsibilities in navigating these complex problems. Clients benefit from his experience in many jurisdictions across Asia, Australia, Europe, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the United States. He represents debtors, creditors, committees, investors, asset purchasers, equity holders, indenture trustees and lenders in high-stakes proceedings and negotiations. Ed is especially adept at finding business-forward solutions outside of court. But when litigation is necessary, he brings a formidable track record of success. A former state prosecutor, he has taken more than 40 cases to trial and more than 15 appeals, serving as counsel in four cases in the Supreme Court of the United States, as well as in the Second and Third Circuits, and other U.S. and foreign courts, including in Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, China, England, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Singapore. Fluent in identifying critical issues, Ed is known for being highly responsive, for identifying opportunities and forging lasting solutions where others see only crisis. In his free time, Ed enjoys competitive sailboat racing, skiing, fly fishing and adventurous travel with his family. · Bankruptcy

Emily Anderson

Emily Anderson advises owners, real estate developers, contractors and design-builders on every aspect of the design and construction lifecycle. She brings extensive experience, handling both litigation and transactional matters for world-class projects. Emily’s work spans a broad array of construction project types, including major vertical construction, industrial and energy developments, infrastructure, sports and entertainment venues, tenant build-outs and luxury residential properties. She navigates multiple delivery methods, such as CMAR, GMP, design-build, P3 and EPC, and serves as a member of the American Arbitration Association National Roster of Construction Arbitrators. · Construction Law

Eric Klein

Eric Klein is Co-Leader of the 230+ lawyer national healthcare practice, which has been frequently named as a Health Care Practice Group of the Year by Law360. He is a partner in the Century City office of Sheppard, a full service AmLaw Global 100 law firm with offices throughout California, New York, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Dallas, Houston, London, Brussels, Seoul and Shanghai. With over 35 years of practical legal and business experience, his multi-sector practice focuses on healthcare transactions and regulation, the current industry trends of population health management, global risk bearing entities, consolidation, convergence and payor/provider alignment, the transformation to value and risk-based reimbursement systems and private equity. Known in the business community for his creative solutions and deal-making ability, Eric uses deep industry knowledge, entrepreneurial solutions, sophisticated negotiation skills and effective legal process to meet the complex business and legal needs of both established and emerging companies. Eric is one of the nation's most active physician group, health plan and hospital M&A and joint venture lawyers, having advised on over 100 hospital merger, acquisition and/or joint venture projects, over 90 health plan merger and acquisition projects, and many of the largest physician services transactions nationally, including a majority of all major managed care physician group transactions in the Western U.S. in the past ten years. Eric is one of the most experienced lawyers nationally in population health management, physician alignment and global risk transactions. · Healthcare

Eric Newsom

Eric A. Newsom is a partner in the Corporate practice group in the San Francisco office and the Transactions lead of the firm's Healthcare industry team. Eric's practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, strategic joint ventures, reorganizations, private equity and venture capital investment transactions, and corporate governance and compliance matters. He has represented buyers, sellers, investors and intermediaries in scores of business combination, buyout and investment transactions, with particular emphasis on the healthcare industry. In his healthcare and health technology practice, Eric focuses on mergers, acquisitions, affiliations, comprehensive corporate reorganizations, multi-channel joint ventures, and private equity investment and disposition transactions involving for-profit, non-profit, and government-owned hospital and provider systems, academic medical centers, health plans, physician groups, and ambulatory and other specialty service providers, as well as startup and growth-stage companies in the healthcare information technology sector. · Corporate

Erica Kraus

Erica Kraus is special counsel in the Corporate Practice Group in the firm's Washington, D.C. office. Erica represents healthcare entities in regulatory compliance matters. She advises clients on reaching their goals in compliance with federal and state fraud and abuse laws, assists clients in responding to government investigations, and represents clients in False Claims Act litigation. Erica also assists clients with regulatory due diligence in transactional matters, and through advocacy with federal and state regulators, and leverages her background in health policy to help clients maximize opportunities in the changing healthcare landscape. Representative matters include: Assisting in internal investigations of reported potential regulatory non-compliance Responding to government Civil Investigative Demands Representing defendants in False Claims Act litigation Advising clients in preparation for and during transactions in evaluating regulatory compliance and making related strategic decisions Advising clients on compliance with the Civil Monetary Penalties Law, Stark Law, and Anti-Kickback Statute Drafting and submitting self-disclosures through CMS' Self-Referral Disclosure Protocol Assisting clients with CMS Innovation Center model participation and compliance with applicable waivers Assisting clients in developing value-based compensation and support strategies and care coordination initiatives in compliance with applicable laws Advising clients on HCC strategy and compliance Preparing CMS Hearing Officer appeals of Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plan application denials Appealing Medicare Administrative Contractor claim denials Advising clients on the implications of drug pricing reform Preparing filings with the Provider Reimbursement Review Board Advising clients on regulatory waivers and compliance during the COVID-19 pandemic Advising clients on the evolving MACRA implementation landscape and transition toward value-based care Prior to joining the firm, Erica acted as a Perspective Reports intern for the New England Journal of Medicine, where she reviewed and summarized health law and policy news, and worked as an intern for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, focusing particularly on employment law projects, including preparing for EEOC, MSPB and federal district court litigation. Erica currently serves as an Adjunct Professorial Lecturer at American University's Washington College of Law, teaching on the False Claims Act in the Healthcare Industry. · Corporate

Erinn Contreras

Erinn Contreras is a Chambers-ranked construction attorney who represents owners, developers and investors throughout the United States in all stages of major construction projects. Erinn’s clients include Fortune 500 companies and other entities in a variety of industries including multifamily housing, data center, healthcare, affordable housing, hospitality and commercial. Erinn works on projects of all sizes, from smaller projects in the tens of millions of dollars to projects in excess of $1 billion. · Business Trial

Eva Schneider

Real Estate

Frank Bacelli

Frank Bacelli is an experienced transactional lawyer who represents private equity sponsors, portfolio companies and public and private companies in complex domestic and cross-border transactions. A strategic advisor to leading funds, he has guided clients through hundreds of transactions including leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, growth equity investments, corporate carve-outs, add-on acquisitions, divestitures and high-value exits with a focus on transactions in the aerospace, defense and government services sectors. He has extensive experience advising on deals involving defense and national security concerns as well as helping U.S.-based companies purchase businesses in Australia, Canada, Europe and Asia. · Corporate Law

Ira Schulman

Ira M. Schulman is a partner in the Business Trial Practice Group resident in the firm's New York office and is co-leader of the firm's Construction Law practice. Ira has more than 40 years of experience in all aspects of construction law with a particular emphasis on dispute resolution and contract negotiation. He has tried numerous complex construction disputes in jury and bench trials in state and federal courts and before arbitration panels on behalf of owners - both public and private - contractors, subcontractors, sureties and school districts. Ira also has participated in many mediations and has successfully represented clients with construction contract award issues before various city agencies. Additionally, he regularly drafts construction contracts and agreements for owners and contractors. Ira is frequently appointed as an arbitrator by the Construction Industry Division of the American Arbitration Association, of which he is a member. He also is often chosen as a mediator for construction disputes and has successfully mediated numerous complex construction claims. Ira is known as an industry leader in the construction space and has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America, Chambers USA, Legal 500 US and Business Today. Notably, Legal 500 US said Ira "is praised for his ‘sage guidance that is delivered effortlessly,'" and Business Today noted Ira "provides extraordinary counsel in dispute avoidance and construction contract negotiations. His vast proficiency and unique style make him the most sought-after construction counsel." Ira is often asked to speak before various bar, civic and trade associations on issues related to construction law. · Construction Law

James Gatto

Jim Gatto provides strategic advice on intellectual property, regulatory and transactional matters relating to disruptive technologies and business models. He is co-leader of the firm’s Artificial Intelligence team and its Blockchain and Fintech Team. A decades-long thought leader in the areas of AI, robotics, quantum computing, blockchain, fintech, interactive entertainment, and open source, he brings deep understanding of business, technology and the law to the advice he provides to clients. Jim advises on all aspects of intellectual property strategy, licensing and enforcement, technology transactions and agreements, and tech-related regulatory issues such as securities, gambling and anti-money laundering (AML). · Intellectual Property

Jay Gerzog

Jay Gerzog is recognized nationally as a leading healthcare and nonprofit corporate lawyer with over 30 years of experience representing both tax-exempt institutions and for-profit companies, primarily in the healthcare sector. Advising on a wide range of transactional matters, Jay has handled complex corporate affiliations and disaffiliations, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, corporate restructurings, operational and contracting matters, and strategic planning. Jay's healthcare clients include integrated healthcare delivery systems, hospitals, academic medical centers, ambulatory surgery centers, managed care organizations, private equity and strategic investors, management companies, physician groups, scientific research organizations, payers and various other healthcare providers and tax-exempt organizations. In the nonprofit and tax-exempt organization area, Jay provides counsel on obtaining and maintaining tax-exempt and public charity status and with compliance with state nonprofit laws and federal tax law for tax-exempt organizations. He advises nonprofit clients on the development and implementation of corporate governance, fiduciary duties, conflict of interest, ethics, audit and executive compensation best practices, and compliance programs and policies, including on management structures and internal control systems to prevent and detect violations of law. Jay’s experience includes representing nonprofit managed care plans in the sale and dissolution of their operations and the related complex state regulatory approval process. He is uniquely experienced in the conversion of nonprofit entities, such as Blue Cross Blue Shield health plans and various healthcare facilities, to for-profit status. He also led the $3.75 billion Fidelis Care asset sale to Centene Corporation, a landmark transaction that funded one of the nation’s largest healthcare grantmaking foundations. · Healthcare

Jeffrey Parker

Jeff Parker is a partner in the firm's Los Angeles office. He is a trial attorney who has specialized for over 30 years in complex commercial, products liability, and environmental litigation, as well as environmental law and counseling. He is based in Los Angeles, but routinely handles matters in state and federal courts throughout California and federal courts in other states. Prior to practicing law, Jeff worked as an aerospace engineer on the design team for the U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster aircraft. Jeff draws on his three decades of experience and technical background to quickly understand his clients' businesses and goals, develop strategies to guide them through disputes to achieve the best results, and advocate for them at trial and appeal. He represents clients in a wide variety of industries, including energy, petroleum, chemicals, aerospace & defense, aviation, real estate, construction, mining, asphalt and aggregate production, manufacturing, food and beverage, in-store and online retail, cosmetics, apparel, and consumer products. Jeff was named by Best Lawyers as the 2020 and 2024 "Lawyer of the Year" for Environmental Litigation in Los Angeles and has been recognized as a Leading Lawyer by Chambers USA, a Recommended Lawyer by Legal500, and a Best Lawyer in America by Best Lawyers. · Complex Commercial Litigation

Jeffrey Smith

Jeff Smith is a partner in the Real Estate, Energy, Land Use & Environmental Practice Group in the firm's Houston office. Areas of Practice Jeff concentrates his practice on complex commercial real estate transactions related to the acquisition, development, and disposition of industrial, multi-family, build-to-rent, office, retail, and hospitality properties. He represents a wide array of developers, private equity funds, net lease providers, investors, and large corporations in complex real estate transactions. His extensive real estate experience includes an emphasis on the representation of net lease providers, investors in office properties, landlords and tenants in office, industrial and retail leasing, acquisitions and dispositions of commercial properties, including industrial facilities, apartment complexes, and large ranches for commercial operations, and the representation of developers and equity investors in joint ventures. He has also represented purchasers of distressed loan portfolios, receivers in commercial real estate matters and borrowers and lenders in secured commercial lending transactions ranging from construction to permanent financing workouts, foreclosures, troubled asset disposition, and note purchase and sale transactions. · Real Estate

Jeralin Cardoso

Jeralin Cardoso is a seasoned corporate attorney who advises on complex transactions and general corporate matters. She services organizations of all sizes, with a particular focus representing a wide range of clients in the healthcare sector. As co-leader of the Corporate practice group, Jeralin is dedicated to delivering comprehensive, client-focused solutions. Jeralin’s practice encompasses a broad array of matters, including mergers and acquisitions (both buy-side and sell side, and private equity investment and recapitalization transactions), strategic alliances, debt and equity financings, business formation and structuring, corporate governance and other day-to-day operational matters. · Corporate

Jill Pietrini

Jill Pietrini is a partner in the Intellectual Property Practice Group in the firm's Century City office. Jill's practice encompasses the full breadth of intellectual property law, with focus on: Trademark, dilution, trade name, trade dress, copyright, right of publicity, violation of persona rights, unfair competition, and design patent litigation and appellate practice; Registration and maintenance of trademarks before the United States Patent and Trademark Office and copyrights before the United States Copyright Office; Prosecution and defense of more than 1,216 Trademark Trial and Appeal Board proceedings in the U.S.; Opposition and invalidation proceedings outside the U.S.; International registration and maintenance of trademarks; Registration and enforcement of Internet domain names, including ICANN arbitrations; Procurement and negotiation of licenses and intellectual property transfer and securitization agreements; Management of 8,500+ portfolios and trademarks; and Strategic counseling in the intellectual property area. Jill is a sought-after expert source for the media, including major print publications and national broadcast outlets, and has testified as an expert witness on trademark law in federal court. A powerhouse litigator, portfolio manager, and trademark attorney, she would appear on any short list of the top intellectual property lawyers in the state and has been designated multiple times as a trademark expert. The cutting-edge nature and impact of Jill's work crosses and has involved many industries for a diverse client roster in the entertainment, motion pictures and television, insurance, music, apparel, farming, promotion, and e-commerce industries. · Intellectual Property

Jodi Stein

Jodi Stein is a partner in the Real Estate, Energy, Land Use & Environmental Practice Group in the firm's New York office. Jodi has significant experience representing real estate developers in obtaining discretionary land use approvals through New York City's Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) and before the Board of Standards and Appeals. She also advises clients on the zoning and land use aspects of obtaining approvals or resolving issues that arise during the development and construction process. Jodi frequently appears before the New York City Department of City Planning, Department of Buildings and Department of Housing Preservation and Development, as well as the Landmarks Preservation Commission, City Council, Department of Transportation, local community boards and other city and state agencies. Prior to private practice, Jodi was vice president of acquisitions and development for one of the largest privately held real estate companies in North America. In that role, she was responsible for growing the company's $2 billion development platform in New York City, Miami and Los Angeles. Jodi worked on obtaining all approvals for all their new development projects — advising on acquisition and pre-development; directing and overseeing all discretionary and government approvals; forging relationships with community leaders in each city; and working with architects, general contractors, subcontractors and environmental consultants through the various approval and development phases of each project. · Real Estate

John Hempill

John Hempill is of counsel in the Corporate Practice Group in the firm's New York office. John is counsel to a number of companies in various industries. He has extensive experience in private and public finance, ranging from representing private emerging growth companies, venture capital funds and strategic investors in seed rounds and later stage private financings, to representing public companies and investment banks in public offerings, as well as 144A and PIPE financings. John is also an experienced mergers and acquisitions lawyer for both public and private companies. He has advised clients in both acquisitions and dispositions of companies and lines of business, as well as in other types of negotiated business combinations. · Corporate

John Yacovelle

John Yacovelle is an experienced first-chair trial lawyer who focuses on resolving disputes for clients in the construction and energy industries in California and beyond. Representing clients in jury trials, bench trials and domestic and international arbitrations, he has tried numerous cases to favorable verdicts or arbitration decisions. In his construction litigation practice, John represents owners, developers, investors, designers and general contractors in connection with private and public works projects. He has been retained as lead counsel for a wide scope of projects including high rise hotels, hospitals, high speed railways, wind and solar projects, and major infrastructure projects. John handles the full range of claims arising from construction contracts, including claims relating to payment disputes, construction/design defects, delays and inefficiency, mechanic’s liens and stop notices, bonds and product liability issues John also negotiates construction and architectural agreements for his clients. In his energy litigation practice, John has represented utilities in disputes related to power plants (including nuclear power plants), project financing, wildfire claims and other claims. John also represents clients in complex commercial disputes, including corporate dissolution proceedings, enforcement of covenants not to compete, unfair competition, trade secret disputes, land acquisition and real estate disputes, matters before the probate court and breach of contract disputes. Effective advocacy, for John, begins with understanding people. He takes the time to understand his clients’ goals, motivations and concerns, while also assessing the priorities and vulnerabilities of the other side. By figuring out what everyone at the table actually cares about, he is able to craft strategies that address what matters most and drive cases toward resolution. · Construction Litigation

Jonathan Aronie

Jonathan Aronie counsels companies of all sizes in government contracts matters, including internal, OIG and DOJ investigations, False Claims Act litigation, bid protests, claims and regulatory compliance. With more than 30 years of practice in Washington, D.C., he has built strong relationships with federal regulators and is ranked nationwide in Government Contracts by Chambers USA (2014-2026). Conducting internal investigations—whether prompted by government enforcement actions or internal whistleblowers—litigating under the False Claims Act’s qui tam provisions, conducting “legal pre-mortems” and developing practical compliance programs are key elements of his practice, along with advising on the FAR Mandatory Disclosure Rule. Jonathan frequently represents clients before the DOJ, GAO, GSA, various OIGs and SDOs, and other defense and civilian agencies. Cleared at the highest levels, he also counsels clients in classified matters. · Government Contracts

Jonathan Stoler

Jon Stoler is an experienced trial lawyer and legal counselor who leads the firm’s international Labor and Employment practice, representing multinational clients around the globe in high-stakes litigation and transactional matters. Jon’s practice covers the full spectrum of employment litigation matters, including non-competition and trade secret misappropriation, employment contract, discrimination, whistleblower, sexual harassment, wrongful discharge, wage/hour claims and related claims. He is also frequently called upon to lead high-stakes internal investigations and compliance inquiries for U.S. and foreign corporations worldwide. An accomplished first-chair trial lawyer, Jon has taken multiple jury trials to verdict and hundreds of arbitrations to favorable resolution. He regularly helps multinational companies develop and implement global policies that balance consistency with local compliance, drawing on a network of more than 100 trusted local counsel. Also experienced in the employment aspects of large-scale international transactions—including acquisitions, integrations and divestitures—he coordinates complex, multijurisdictional employment requirements with a clear view of clients’ strategic and operational goals. Clients appreciate his ability to align legal solutions with business imperatives. Private equity sponsors also rely on Jon and his team to develop employment policies which provide a uniform approach for their assorted portfolio companies. Defending employers in both single plaintiff and class action matters is also at the heart of Jon’s practice where he regularly represents them in federal and state courts, in arbitrations before the American Arbitration Association and the Financial Industry Regulation Authority, and in proceedings before various administrative agencies, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and state agencies throughout the U.S. He also represents clients before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Jon is published and quoted frequently on a variety of employment law issues in major academic and business publications such as the National Law Review, The New York Law Journal, The Metropolitan Corporate Counsel and Employment Law360 and is a frequent speaker at national and international programs. · Labor and Employment

Joseph Karp

Joe Karp advises electricity generators and others on the regulatory and transactional matters that shape how energy projects are developed, structured and delivered to market. Ranked Band 1 in California by Chambers for regulatory work and recognized nationally and globally for Projects: Renewables & Alternative Energy, Joe guides clients through the regulatory frameworks governing electricity markets and project development. With decades of experience before the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and deep familiarity with the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) markets, he provides practical advice to clients on matters that are crucial to their success. Joe also represents investor-owned water utilities in regulatory proceedings before the CPUC, advising on matters involving rates, new business and compliance. · Energy Law

Kari Rollins

Kari M. Rollins focuses on data privacy and data security, and complex commercial litigation matters. She is an office managing partner of the New York office. Kari has successfully represented clients in the financial services, audit and accounting, retail and fashion, food services, hospitality, manufacturing, and technology industries before state and federal courts, as well as in front of state attorneys general, federal regulators, and U.S. and international commercial arbitration forums. A trusted advisor to her clients, Kari brings a focused, strategic approach to complex litigation and data security matters alike. Her clients praise her ability to efficiently and effectively manage complex matters with multiple moving pieces, and to concisely and persuasively communicate the core issues of her clients' cases to judges, regulators, and opposing counsel. These traits have enabled Kari to successfully argue critical motions, procure dismissals, and achieve successful resolutions for her clients in the context of complex commercial litigation, as well as effectively managing high-intensity incident response matters and regulatory inquiries arising from data privacy and security issues. As it relates to her data security practice, Kari offers her clients the continuity of effective assistance during all three critical stages of the data security lifecycle: (1) cybersecurity preparedness (the before); (2) data breach investigation and response (the during); and (3) data breach litigation and regulatory enforcement (the after). As part of cybersecurity preparedness, Kari assists clients in crafting their existing security and compliance practices in the context of the ever-changing data security regulations so they are as well positioned as possible in the event of the inevitable data incident or inquiry. When a data incident occurs, Kari draws on her significant litigation and internal investigation experience to manage and direct all aspects of incident response for her clients—from directing forensic investigators, to liaising with insurance counsel, to determining whether the facts of the incident give rise to a duty to notify, to overseeing notification to consumers and regulatory bodies, and to assisting with communications to Boards and responding to media inquiries. Finally, post-breach, in the event litigation or regulatory inquiries ensue, Kari draws on her significant litigation experience to offer clients strategic assistance in defending against complex data privacy litigation and/or regulatory inquiries from state and/or federal regulators. Recognizing her effective assistance in the area of data security, Kari was named to Cybersecurity Docket's 2019, 2020, and 2021 Incident Response 30, which recognizes 30 of the best and brightest data breach response lawyers in the business who are key players in the most significant data breach responses worldwide. Crain's New York Business named Kari as one of their Notable Women in Law in 2020, and Legal 500 recognized Kari as a Leading Lawyer in Cybersecurity in 2020 and 2021. Global Data Review also named Kari to its first annual "40 under 40" list in 2018, praising her as one of the top 40 practitioners in data privacy globally under the age of 40. Kari is also a partner in the Privacy and Cybersecurity team of Sheppard, which was recognized as a "2018 Practice Group of the Year" by Law360. Kari is invited annually to give numerous speeches and seminars on data privacy and data breaches by organizations across the country, and regularly writes articles and blog posts on emerging trends and topics in data privacy. Notably, Kari wrote a chapter on cybersecurity standards and data breach response in Volume III of The US Privacy Equity Fund Compliance Guide published by Privacy Equity International, and currently sits on the Drafting Committee of the Sedona Conference WG11 on Data Security and Privacy Liability, which is responsible for drafting and publishing the Sedona Conference WG11 Incident Response Guide, a practitioners guide to navigating the law and issues relating to preparing for, managing, and responding to data breaches. Prior to her move to New York, Kari brought her experience to the classroom as an adjunct law professor at DePaul University's College of Law in Chicago, teaching a course on data breach law. · Intellectual Property

Katarzyna Levecke

Katarzyna Levecke concentrates her practice on commercial lending transactions, leasing and tax credit transactions, in each case, primarily in the renewable energy sector. She regularly represents developers, debt and equity investors, lessors and lessees in financing and leasing matters. Her experience includes the negotiation and due diligence of key project documents and the structuring and negotiation of debt and equity investment documents. · Commercial Lending

Katherine Gillespie

Katie Gillespie has more than 20 years of experience representing sponsors and financing parties in connection with the development, acquisition and financing of renewable energy projects. Nationally ranked in Chambers USA (2021–2025) for her work on renewable energy projects, she is a recognized innovator in the field. Under her leadership, Sheppard closes more than 14 GW of renewable energy financing and M&A projects annually. Trusted by some of the largest players in the industry, Katie advises on cutting-edge tax credit transactions that expand available investor tax capacity and spur renewable energy development. · Energy

Keith Garner

Keith Garner advises on land use and natural resources permitting and environmental law compliance—guiding developers, energy companies and project sponsors through every stage of the development cycle. Advising on land use and entitlement matters throughout California and environmental regulatory issues governed by federal law nationwide, Keith is skilled at leading teams of lawyers and working to remove obstacles and resolve disputes that could delay or derail complex projects. · Real Estate

Keith Szeliga

Keith Szeliga is a partner in the Government Contracts Practice in the firm's Washington, D.C. office. He is also a member of the firm's Aerospace, Defense & Government Services Industry Team. Keith represents clients ranging from small businesses to the nation's largest defense contractors in a broad range of government contracts matters, including: Bid protests before the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the Court of Federal Claims; Small business size protests and appeals before the SBA Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA); Government contracts compliance, including compliance programs, reviews and counseling; Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) involving government contractors; Audits and investigations, including internal investigations, DCAA audits and OIG investigations; Suspension and debarment proceedings; Subcontracts and teaming agreements and disputes; and Contract Disputes Act (CDA) claims and appeals. Keith advises clients regarding the full spectrum of statutes and regulations applicable to government contractors. Representative areas in which Keith has specialized expertise include: Government contracts cost and pricing issues, including the Cost Principles, the Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) and the Truth in Negotiations Act (TINA); Rights in technical data, computer software and patents under government contracts; Personal and organizational conflicts of interest (PCIs and OCIs); Revolving door and other post-government employment restrictions; Procurement Integrity Act (PIA) compliance; Small business issues relevant to government contractor M&A; Bribery, gratuities and kickbacks; False Claims Act (FCA) and other fraud allegations; and The FAR Mandatory Disclosure Rule. Keith publishes and lectures frequently on these and other topics of interest to the government contracts community. His articles have been cited in several court opinions and numerous law review articles. · Government Contracts

Kelly Hensley

Kelly Hensley is of counsel in the Labor and Employment Practice Group in the firm’s Los Angeles office. She is the former Practice Group Leader of the firm's Labor and Employment Practice Group, serving from 2004-2023. She specializes in labor and employment counseling and wage and hour matters. · Labor and Employment

Kevin Post

Kevin Post is a partner in the Intellectual Property Practice Group in the firm's New York office. Kevin works extensively with high-technology and life science companies handling their complex patent disputes. He has litigated patent cases in nearly every significant patent jurisdiction, including the International Trade Commission, the District of Delaware, the Northern District of California, the Eastern and Western Districts of Texas, the Eastern District of Virginia, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit on behalf of companies in a variety of technical fields, including cellular and wireless communications, video coding, networking, electronics, computer systems and software, network architecture and security, e-payments, e-commerce, imaging systems, GPS technology, process control systems, mechanical devices, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology. Kevin has tried multiple cases involving standard-essential patents and F/RAND licensing issues, including breach of contract cases. From providing licensing support, patent portfolio analysis, and due diligence to handling all aspects of trial preparation and trial, Kevin’s experience has touched on all phases of IP litigation. · Intellectual Property

Leo Caseria

Leo Caseria defends companies in complex antitrust litigation. The co-leader of the Antitrust and Competition practice group, he also helps businesses navigate through antitrust and Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) issues in mergers and acquisitions. Representing clients nationwide from the Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles offices, Leo has led the defense of antitrust litigation involving alleged conspiracies and monopolization, through motions practice and trial. He has also led and supervised everything from HSR filing through Second Request for merging parties. · Antitrust

Liisa Thomas

Liisa Thomas is a recognized authority in privacy and cybersecurity law, serving as a go-to advisor for in-house counsel and C-suite executives at Fortune 500, multinational and global companies. Based in Chicago and London, she brings a practical, business-focused and cross-cultural approach to advising clients on privacy, cybersecurity, digital advertising and compliance law. She is co-leader of the Privacy and Cybersecurity team. Recognized by both Chambers Global and Chambers USA (the latter with a nationwide ranking), Liisa is known for translating complex legal requirements—such as GDPR, CCPA, BIPA, TCPA and cross-border data transfer issues—into actionable strategies that protect enterprise value and manage risk. Having lived in the Middle East, Europe and the U.S. and with an advanced degree in organizational change, Liisa is highly skilled in both translating business needs and cultures across borders and coordinating efforts across continents to protect data, assure compliance with all applicable regulations and advance business goals. A sought-after keynote speaker and panelist, Liisa presents at leading privacy, cybersecurity and compliance conferences, as well as executive forums and legal seminars. She is recognized for delivering engaging, insightful presentations on emerging privacy regulations and best practices. Liisa is trainer for the International Association of Privacy Professionals and an adjunct professor at Northwestern University Law School, where she helps train the next generation of privacy professionals. Liisa was the 2020 recipient of the Legacy Award from Illinois Legal Aid Online, an organization committed to access to justice. Beyond her legal practice, Liisa serves on the board of trustees of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and plays violin in the Chicago Bar Association Symphony Orchestra, an ensemble of lawyers and judges. Liisa is the managing partner of the firm’s Chicago office. · Privacy Law

Lisa Cottle

Lisa Cottle is a partner in the Real Estate, Energy, Land Use & Environmental Practice Group in the firm's San Francisco office, and a member of the Energy, Infrastructure and Project Finance Team. Lisa's practice focuses on energy project development and regulatory matters in the electric power industry. She is recognized by Chambers USA, The Legal 500, Lawdragon, and Best Lawyers in America as a leading practitioner in these areas. Testimonials in these publications include: "She is incredibly responsive, a creative thinker, and very persistent in finding and developing the right answer;" and "She has a deep knowledge of how utilities approach negotiations and how to get power purchase agreements approved." · Energy

Lynsey Mitchell

Lynsey Mitchel is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group in the firm's Century City office, a leader of the Health Plan Practice and a member of the firm's Healthcare team. Lynsey represents health maintenance organizations, managed care organizations, medical groups, hospitals, home health providers, medical device retailers and other healthcare entities and providers. Lynsey has deep expertise in managed care, including HMO regulatory matters and has assisted numerous clients to obtain HMO licensure as healthcare service plans under California's Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act. Lynsey has represented approximately half of all currently licensed restricted Knox-Keene HMO license holders in California in their licensure process. Lynsey has worked on HMO licensure and other matters for Medicare Advantage, commercial and Medicaid health plans, including dental and vision plans. Lynsey also assists health plans with regulatory compliance matters, material modifications, growth strategies, acquisitions, training, and drafting and negotiating provider contracts, plan-to-plan contracts and pharmacy benefit manager contracts. In the managed care sector, Lynsey represents payors and providers participating in accountable care organizations (ACOs), bundled payment initiatives and other cutting edge risk-sharing arrangements, including pay-for-performance and gainsharing arrangements. Lynsey works with national and regional health plans (including full service and specialty plans), as well as large health systems and physician groups, on a broad range of matters including population health management strategies, provider employment, risk-based, performance-based and value-based payor and provider contracting, compliance, acquisitions and physician alignment strategies. Lynsey's practice is focused on licensing and other regulatory compliance matters, business transactions, patient privacy issues including HIPAA and HITECH Act compliance, and telemedicine, as well as Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement and certification. In addition, she counsels clients on state and federal fraud and abuse issues, including the Stark Law and anti-kickback and fee-splitting laws. · Corporate

Malika Levarlet

Malika Levarlet is special counsel in the Governmental Practice in the firm's Washington, D.C. office. Malika advises international and domestic companies in connection with cross-border transactions (with a focus on U.S. and European companies), joint ventures, complex commercial agreements and corporate governance. She represents clients operating in the technology, financial services, telecommunications, aerospace, and automotive industries. Malika also counsels international and domestic clients regarding compliance with U.S. trade and antitrust laws and regulations, including those pertaining to mergers (e.g., the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act) and consumer protection (e.g., the Federal Trade Commission Act). Malika has extensive experience coordinating the merger-control, foreign direct investment (CFIUS) and regulatory reviews of multi-jurisdictional transactions for U.S. and foreign clients. · Governmental Practice

Megan Rooney

Megan Rooney leads transformational and strategic transactions for healthcare companies. As co-leader of the firm’s hospital and health system transactions and regulatory team, she advises hospitals, health systems, and healthcare and life sciences companies. Having closed more than 100 healthcare deals in nearly 20 years of legal practice, Megan brings in-depth knowledge in all aspects of transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, affiliations, joint ventures and system restructurings. She also advises healthcare and nonprofit clients on a wide range of legal matters, including corporate governance and compliance with respect to licensure, accreditation, and other state and federal regulatory matters. A former healthcare professional with firsthand clinical experience, she brings unique insight into the business challenges and opportunities facing her clients. They appreciate Megan’s skill in creating and leading large deal teams that drive efficient and effective outcomes and achieve business goals. Clients also rely on her talent for explaining complicated legal requirements in plain language, enabling them to address relevant issues, clear obstacles and arrive at outcomes which achieve their business goals. For nearly a decade, Megan served as an adjunct professor at Northwestern University School of Law, and she has authored multiple publications on healthcare transactions. · Healthcare

Michael Chan

Michael Chan advises employers of all types and at different stages of their life cycles on employee benefits and executive compensation matters. Combining over 20 years of experience with deep knowledge of the laws governing employee benefits and compensation arrangements, he helps clients with all aspects of compliance and benefit plan design and implementation. Michael is leader of the Tax, Employee Benefits and Trusts & Estates practice group. Clients consult with Michael to develop plans aimed at attracting and retaining talent, and that make business sense relative to a company’s size, workforce, industry, growth trajectory and competitive position in the market. Michael works closely with clients to stay abreast of the ever-changing legal landscape so that they can remain in compliance and meet their obligations under the law. · Employee Benefits

Michael Malfettone

Michael Malfettone counsels entities across the energy transition economy, working at the junction of private equity and sustainable infrastructure to match capital sources and deployment strategies to business goals and shape transaction frameworks. He helps clients evaluate pathways for deals, surface opportunities and design bespoke structures that advance growth and investment objectives. The core of Michael’s work spans corporate acquisitions, growth capital and control equity investments, project M&A, joint ventures and hybrid equity financings. Engagements range from infrastructure funds deploying capital through various investment strategies, to developers acquiring renewable portfolios, to clean technology platforms, equipment manufacturers and infrastructure service providers seeking scale through business expansion or strategic investment. · Corporate

Michael Orlando

With over 20 years of experience at the intersection of intellectual property and technology transactions, Michael Orlando is a strategic counselor to innovators and enterprises navigating complex technology and IP challenges. He is Team Leader of the firm's Technology Transactions Team, and a member of the Artificial Intelligence, Life Sciences and Healthcare teams. Michael also co-leads the firm’s Digital Health & Innovation team and is the host of Sheppard’s Health-e Law podcast. Michael founded a software-as-a-service (SaaS) business prior to entering private practice, and completed an in-house secondment at a publicly-traded biotechnology company. This real-world experience as both a tech entrepreneur and in-house counsel gives him unique insight to understand his clients' business objectives and informs his practical, business-oriented approach to solving a wide variety of technology issues. Michael helps cutting-edge technology companies and innovators develop, commercialize, and procure technology, including in connection with licensing, outsourcing, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, venture financing, collaborations, strategic partnerships and commercial agreements. His cross-disciplinary expertise in both intellectual property and corporate transactions allows him to leverage both practice areas when advising his clients. Michael's legal practice spans multiple industries, including high-tech, biotechnology/pharmaceuticals, medical devices, digital health and healthcare IT, data centers, energy, aerospace, and automotive technologies, including electric, autonomous and connected vehicle technologies. · Corporate